[cheftjcook]

I live in a suburban area, thankfully my house is on a double lot so I'm not right on top of anyone, But I am always concerned. I work out of the garage so I have to wheel the forge out to the drive way between that and the air compressor running, anvil ringing or the grinder going it does attract attention.
My point here though is not about my garage/shop but rather the impact WE can have as a neighbor not in the negative. (Even if its accidental)

The other day I playing nice all by myself when I turned to discover I had a audience.... of one...small but it was an audience and a fan of my crude work.
This kid asked a million questions and kept creeping closer to works and giving detailed accounts of life as a 3rd grader. So I put safety glasses, ear protection and a apron on the little guy(this was a sight as he was dressed in lime green "Skrek" swimming shorts) and he hung out till dusk. Always asking was it ok to stay and was he bothering me. When my wife got Home introductions were made to my new shop assistant, my wife giggling away at this new helpers look, then we broke for dinner. As he was leaving he asked if he could come back as well as alot of other junk then hinted about making something for him. pointing to leaf key rings I make. I thought what is my 3rd grader friend here gonna do with a key ring...BUT dinner could wait a few...We made him one right up and sent him on his way.
I see the kid around and he carries the leaf a round like a real treasure.
(Thought,Sure he'll lose interest next week but made me feel like a million.)

Wife tells me later the kids new and parents are divorced and he has no dad to speak of... I surely never intended to impact this kids life and Don't Want to butt in and the Mom is doing a fantastic job with the little guy. But it does show how something so simple can impact our neighbors or neighborhood for the positive. Some times now I have an audience of two... three if you count the neighbors cat that likes to sit by my forge, But thats a different story about dragons breath and cat hair burning...what a smell!!!!

*Back To the point
If we are considerate towards them and they can put up with a bit of noise and smoke (from some of us)...Blacksmiths make great neighbors.

I know this wandered abit off the subject but it just happened and seemed a good place for my happy sappy story.(grin) Thank you for indulging me